Offseason reunions are always fun for a fanbase. Sometimes its a former star ending his career in the city where it all started, other times its journeyman making his way back to a place he called home for a spell. Whatever the story is that finds a player returning to a team, it will make some fans happy.
The Boston Red Sox have only had a handful of players comeback in recent years. In 2022, Jackie Bradley Jr. was traded back to the Sox after a year in Milwaukee, Travis Shaw came back to Boston in 2021 after four seasons elsewhere, and Rich Hill has had four stints in Boston. This offseason, Boston is looking to make upgrades to the roster, some of which could come as former players.
3 former Red Sox players who could return to Boston this offseason
Christian Vazquez
There was some rumors around the trade deadline that the Sox were looking at Vazquez to replace Connor Wong as the backup catcher. While that never materialized, 35-year-old backstop now finds himself in free agency for the second time in his career.
Christian Vázquez shows off the arm strength and guns the runner out on one knee 😳 pic.twitter.com/K48tKrkC8X
— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2025
Once again, their is some smoke about the Sox looking to move on from Wong, and Vazquez could be a cheap replacement. He has a had a few rough seasons at the plate in Minnesota, but this season he posted numbers above the league average in blocking and throwing out runners. Finding a good defender to spell Carlos Narváez should be a priority if they move on from Wong, and bringing back an old friend could be the way to go.
Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber's name has been floated as an option for Boston since the summer. After leaving the Sox in free agency in 2021, he has turned into one of the best power hitters in the sport. While he will be limited to a designated hitter role, he would bring the power surge the Sox were lacking last season. It would take a massive contract to get him back, but putting him at the top of the lineup with Roman Anthony would scare all opposing pitchers.
Drew Pomeranz
After spending three years out of baseball, Pomeranz found his way back to a major league roster with the Cubs this season and looked like the All-Star the Red Sox traded for back in 2016. The soon-to-be 37-year-old spent two and a half up-and-down years in Boston, but ultimately resulted in him winning a ring in 2018. Boston will be looking to add more lefties to the 'pen following the departures of Justin Wilson and Steven Matz. Following a 2.17 ERA across 49.2 innings, the veteran could be a perfect match.